GEMS! is an on-going series of songs—random songs—that I feature regularly here on the blog. The songs don’t have to be new or English or under any criteria, it’s just great music. Below are 9 songs handpicked for your listening pleasure. Comment if you like them, comment if you don’t.

I never did an arabic version of my GEMS! post, so thought “why not?”, since arabic music is getting better, and there are a lot of good releases this year, mixed with older tunes.

Rahat Layali – Angham [Download]
Only recently I got into Angham’s music, the album Leih Sebtaha is perfect, start to end. Rahat Layali is my most played song of hers, it’s very lush and melodic, which represents Angham’s music very well.

Le Etteshakka – Rashid AlMajed [Download]
This song is as old as pre ’95 i think, I remember my older brother listening to the song nonstop, which made me, eventually love the song.

Maroom – Yara [Download]
Download this right now, it’s probably the catchiest arabic song this year. I was very surprised when I heard her album, and LOVED it, she’s truly one of the best non-Khaleejis who sang Khaleeji.

Tawwik Fithait – Ahlam [Download]
Borrowing a little more than just the strings from Asalah’s Sawaha Galbi, Ahlam storms back to the music scene with one fire cracker, this is a hit in the making. Very well produced.

Hakam ElQadhi – Najwa Karam [Download]
I love Najwa Karam, and what I love more than her, is classic Najwa. Although her music is great still, nothing can touch her older albums, circa 96-99.

Hathy Jideeda – Nawal [Download]
Mogul producer Saham (Asalah, Ahlam) lends his magic touch to Nawal, which results in this gem of a song. Although the overall result of their work is inferior to his work with both Asalah and Ahlam.

Asalah:
Obviously I can’t let this post go without posting something by Asalah, so I’m going to post three of my current favorite Asalah songs, one Khaleeji, and two Egyptian/Arabic. Tegdar Terooh is definitely a standout song given it wasn’t on any of her albums, it’s a Khaleeji song, so if you enjoy her Khaleeji albums, and want a little more before her next album (confirmed to be Khaleeji) comes out, get the song. Ah Min Aynah and Ba’a Tabeay are two great gems found on her latest album Nos Hala, both are feel-good songs that fill me with joy beyond all joy.Tegdar TeroohAh Min AynahBa’a Tabeay

Whenever someone mentions the word girlband, the first thing that must come to your mind is.. well, Spice Girls. The UK have always been the place-to-be if you’re an aspiring girlband, after all, the UK spawned two of the most successful girlbands of our time, Sugababes and Girls Aloud. The success of those two caused the origination of many girlbands, some stayed, some dissolved. I consider UK’s girlbands a dominant players in Pop music, and as a pop lover, I can’t help but love them, maybe some more so than others. I’ve compiled some of my favorite songs of each of the two prominent girlbands, one song from each album. Don’t be fooled by the term “girlband”, they deliver the goods, trust.

This is my favorite post to do, and the one that takes the longest time, so hopefully it’s your favorite to read :p

Gasoline – Kicking Harold [Download]
I’m not a big fan of rock, but this song definitely entered my Most Played playlist because of its brilliance. Perfect for blasting out the car when driving at night, immense experience!

New In Town – Little Boots [Download]
Little Boots, the lesser Lady GaGa, this is her official first single, it’s catchy as hell and definitely a highlight in pop music so far this year.

Miss You – Mariah Carey [Download]
I have no idea why I like this song too much, it’s very funky, need I mention that the intro is my favorite part? Get it.

Goldfish – Kate Walsh [Download]
I’ve previous mentioned Kate Walsh and how beautiful her voice is, this is one of the song that would make it or break it for you, it’s beyond beautiful.

I Lost You – Katharine McPhee [Download]
I have loved this girl’s voice ever since I saw her auditioning for American Idol, and this song perfectly showcases her voice over a thumping beat.

Who? Sophie Madeleine. Genre? Folk/Acoustic. About: Sophie hails from Brighton, and bright she is, her debut album LOVE.LIFE.UKULELE was released not so long ago, and it shows so much promise. Its strength is its simplicity and straight-forwardness. I have picked 3 songs from the album to highlight, first of all, You’re My Favorite, which is the first song I heard and was the one that got me “hooked”, it’s a simple song with nothing but a tender voice, acoustic guitar, an accordion, and lush lyrics. I Just Can’t Stop Myself (From Writing Love Songs About You), if the title didn’t intrigue you, I don’t know what will. One Kiss Too Many is the one of the bet moments on the album, her voice’s tenderness will you have surrendered and all ears. Download the three songs below, like them, love them, buy the album, love it.

I have been a moderate fan of Asalah’s for the past few years, but recently a “devoted/stan” of hers, every time I go back to an older album I find more and more great stuff, her material is always impeccable, she never overdo an album, with an average of 8-9 songs per album, it only leaves you wanting more. One of my recent discoveries was her smash hit album Hayati, possibly her best selling album (Thank you, Egypt), I used to like one song from the album “Aktar” and that was it, when rummaging through the album, I found it to be of ALL exceptionally great material. The single “Aktar” is a global smash hit, from the spanish guitar intro to the synths in the beginning to the egyptian beats under-layers, it’s the perfect blend for a pop hit, the song raised Asalah’s status beyond what it was in the country it was aimed for the most, Egypt. Did I mention that she looks just adorable in the video, casual’d down and all? Next, “Wehna Sawa” is an instant hit as well, blending Moroccan and Egyptian styles together, it goes to show how diverse this woman can be. I love that song. Last and definitely not least, “Wallah Ma Tehady” Now, then, this song here is my favorite of the whole album, the message it carries, the “aah’s” at the 2:00 minutes mark, and everything about this song is just PERFECT. All the other songs on the album are brilliant, get the album!

One of my all-time favorite songs and one of DC’s best. I love semi-breakdown at 1:40 and of course my favorite line “cleavage from here to Mexico“.
It’s the PERFECT song for the summer, you know..? They should just blast this song all over Kuwait :)